Relax in a Holiday Flat on your Next Vacation

One of my favorite things about international travel is pretending just for a short time that I live in the destination. A great way to get a taste of living in another country is to stay in a holiday flat (also know as self-catering or vacation rental). Just imagine… When you arrive, you pop over to the market and stock up on coffee, beverages, and local goodies. In the morning, you eat breakfast in your pjs as you gaze out the window at the neighborhood activity. After a busy day of exploring, you grab a beverage from the fridge and relax on the sofa.

Michael and I stayed in our first holiday flat in 2004 in Barcelona. Since then, we’ve enjoyed vacation rentals in Puerto Vallarta, Paris, Stellenbosch South Africa, and Camps Bay South Africa. We’ve had a few minor mishaps, but overall, the experiences have been great. In Stellenbosch, the power in our flat went out on the last night. We called the owner, who tried to help troubleshoot the circuit breaker. When the power didn’t turn on, he offered to come over. We knew he lived 45 minutes away, so we decided to make due and it worked out just fine. In Puerto Penasco, Mexico the front desk wanted to charge us an activity fee at check in. We had prepaid the owner in full, so we presented the receipt. After the trip, we saw that the front desk took the credit card number from the receipt and charged us for the full stay. After several emails and calls, the owner made good on the second charge, but it was very frustrating (we won’t stay at that vacation rental again).

There are some great advantages of choosing a self-catering over a hotel, but there can also be drawbacks. It all depends on your travel preferences, level of independence, and ability to go with the flow. I always enjoy researching vacation rentals… The only challenge is, there are so many great options that it is hard to pick just one.

Self-Catering Advantages

There is a lot more space than the typical hotel room.

It is very convenient to have a kitchen. You can stock up on food and beverages and heat up leftovers for late night munching.

Staying in a local neighborhood provides a little taste of what it is like to live in the destination.

A holiday flat can be more cost-effective than a hotel. Many offer discounts for weekly or monthly stays.

Potential Self-Catering Drawbacks

Some owners don’t accept credit cards and may require you to wire a deposit or pay in cash.

There’s no hotel staff to answer questions. If something breaks, it may take a bit longer to get repaired.

Typically there is no housekeeping (although some holiday flats include housekeeping). Also, when things like shower soap or toilet paper run out, you have to run to the store (I just buy extra when I arrive).

Tips for Selecting a Holiday Flat

Don’t pick a holiday flat until you check out lots of photos online.

Pay close attention to the features that are important to you. For example, some flats outside the U.S. have a bathtub but no shower.

Consider the location and proximity of shopping and public transportation.

If you will have a rental car, ensure that there is parking. Also ask if parking costs extra.

Tips for Enjoying your Stay in a Self Catering

At check in, get a tour along with instructions on how to use the TV, phone, washing machine, etc. It may sound silly, but if you are gadget-challenged like me, it may be tough to figure out how to use these things.

If you are in a foreign country, get the phone number for emergency services (police, fire, paramedics, etc.).

On the first day, go to the market and stock up on key staples. My top items are bottled water, coffee, breakfast goodies, snacks, wine, and toilet paper.

Camps Bay, South Africa – 1 The Grange
Hip, modern duplex on a hill with gorgeous views of Table Mountain and the sea. The upstairs and downstairs flats share a pool. It is a 10 – 15 minute walk to the beach and the town where there are a few restaurants, bars, and a grocery store. The rental fee included daily housekeeping.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Home of the Dolphins
If you like being in the heart of town, this is the place to stay. It is a quick, easy walk to many shops, restaurants, and bars. The rooftop pool is an awesome spot to watch the pelicans fly by. Take a taxi to the fish market and get some fresh catch for dinner on your outdoor balcony overlooking the sea.